Message carrying signal apparatus for airplanes



Sept. 10, 1935; c. c. HOLMES 2,013,729

MESSAGE CARRYING-SIGNAL APPARATUS FOR AIRPLANES Filed March 17, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 V I2? Ienfor; C usfqpk%- (lira/mes.

p -10, 1935. v C.C.HOLMES 2,013,729

MESSAGE CARRYING SIGNAL APPARATUSFOR AIRPLANES Filed March 17, 1933' s Sheets-Sheet 2 IIII Sept. 10, 1935.

c. c. HOLMES 2,013,729

MESSAGE CARRYING SIGNAL APPARATUS FOR AIRPLANES Filed March 17, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 5.

Patented Sept. 10, 1935 PATENT O'FFICE' MESSAGE CARRYING SIGNAL APPARATUS FOR AIRPLANES Christopher C. Holmes, Los Angeles, Calif.

- Application March 17, 1933, Serial No. 661,351

signal apparatus for airplanes, and the principal object is to provide a simple means for conveying messages from an airplane to either land or e water locations and signaling the place that the message bearing apparatus has landed.

To that end I provide an apparatus with a message-bearing compartment that can be attached to an airplane and released when the message is to be dropped by gravity to any desired location, with-other means for automatically flashing a light signal as soon as the apparatus is released, with said other means arranged to maintain the light signal flashing skyward for a long time after it has been released from the airplane-so it would hardly be possible for the messagenot to be easily located.

This apparatus is especially adapted for use for airplanes that are compelled to carry mail, persons and valuable cargo to places that are reached only byhazardous trips in which a forced landing may result in death from exposure and delay in other airplanes failing to locate the lost ship.

As is well known, many lives of people have been lost needlessly by exposure when airplanes have been forced to land in desert or mountainous countries in places unknown and diflicult to approach and with no means for signaling their location to overhead airplanes in search of them.

By means of my apparatus a signal of distress is flashed just before a forced landing is attempted by the pilot of the airplane, and the signal remains in operation while the apparatus is floating down and for along time afterwards, so that other airplanes searching for the lost airplane can easily locate the locality by the light beam that is flashed skyward and which continues in action for several days, after the light is lit, or a sufficient time for the airplane to be located and a rescue of its occupants effected.

Another object of this invention is to provide a signal apparatus that is especially adapted for use with airplanes scouting in advance of an army or a battle fleet. To that end I provide my apparatus with a compartment terminal into which messages and rolls of photographic films can be stored for delivery to the headquarters of the army, or dropped within easy reach of the battle-fleet. The compartment-terminal is arranged in the apparatus so that adelivery of a message or roll of photographic film can be delivered from the cock-pit of the airplane to the terminal practically simultaneously with the release of the apparatus from the airplane.

A feature of invention is shown in providing a signal apparatus for airplanes that can land safely either on land or water and while being released from the airplane instantly flashes a signal of distress that will'remain in operation 5 for several days.

Another feature of invention is shown in the means for detachably connecting the apparatus to the wing of an airplane and in the means for releasing'it when a signal is to be given and a 10 message is to be delivered,

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawings, the subjoined detailed description and the appended claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an airplane in flight showing it dropping a message carrying signal apparatus in advance ofa battle-fleet. One signal apparatus is shown in the water with its signal lamp lighted and another just released from the wing of the airplane and in flight, and another in position to be released, it being understood that a number of apparatus can be car- Tied by each airplane.

Fig. 2 is a cross section through a wing of an airplane, semidiagrammatically illustrating how a signal apparatus is folded and carried in the wing.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmental central vertical section through a signal apparatus in flight or in open position, and by dotted lines indicating the preferred folding position of the parachute curtain and the collapsed position of the other parts.

- Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmental section that is analogous. to the upper right hand portion of Fig. 3, showing a preferred way of securing the top edge of the parachute curtain to the canopy 40 top.

Fig. 5 is a cross section on line 5-5, Fig. 3, showing the guide rods in section and the top end of the battery housing in elevation.

Fig. 6 is a fragmental cross section on line 6--6, Fig. 3, showing the contacts of the battery switch engaged and locked together and also showing a plan view of the cork guide for the curtain cables and guide rods.

Fig. 7' is an enlarged fragmental section on line Fig. 6, showing a portion of the cork guide in section.

Fig. 8 is a fragmental view looking upward under the wing of an airplane showing the means for detachably securing a signal apparatus in a-56 chamber in an airplane wing, parts indicated semidiagrammatically.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmental central section on line 9-9, Fig. 8, semidiagrammatically showing the means for passing a message or photo-film carrier from the cock-pit of an airplane to the message receiving terminal.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged section on line IIi--I0, Fig. 9, showing how the operation of 'the air lever in addition to operating the means for driving the message carrier from the cock-pit of the airplane to the terminal, also operates the electric switch for releasing the signal apparatus from the airplane.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmental-section analogous to a center portion of Fig. 9 showing in greater detail how the message carrier can pass from the delivery end of the compressed air pipe into the message receiving terminal.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmental section analogous to the lower left hand portion of the parachute curtain shown in Fig. 3, showing one of the blocks of the cork float in an annular pocket of the curtain with other cork blocks indicated by dotted lines.

In detail the message carrying signal apparatus includes a taut canopy I with inner and.

the lens 20, which is held in place by an inwardly extending flange 2I on the upper end of the tube I5.

An insulation plug 22 is secured in the lower end of the cylinder I6 and integral with this plug is the upper end of a cylindrical stem 23 to which the split clasp rings 24 and 25 are secured by the screws 25.

Also the upper ring 24 is additionally secured to the stem 23 by a screw 21 that is extended through the ring flanges 28 and also through the fulcrumed end of a switch lever 29. The lever 29- carries a terminal 30 that is in circuit with the lamp I8 through the wire 3I and the circuit through the lamp I8 is preferably grounded in the cylinder I6 by the wire 32.

The lower ring 25 is additionally secured to the stem 23 by a screw 33 that passes through the terminal lugs 34 that are integral with the.

ring 25. The lugs 34 have barbs I34, as best shown in Fig. 6, so they will grasp the shoulders I35 and detachably hold the contact bar 35 in circuit when the lever 29 is actuated from its open position that is indicated by dotted lines to its closed position shown by full lines in Fig. 3.

When the switch is closed electrical current from the storage battery 36 will pass over wire 31 to the terminal ring 25 and thence to the lamp I8, as previously described.

The contact bar 35 as previously described, has the shoulders I35 that are engaged by the barbs I34 of the lugs 34 when the bar 35 is in its closed position.

The lever 29 is normally held in the dotted position shown in Fig. 3 by a spring I29 which is held under tension when the lever is actuated to the full line position so the contact bar 35 is normally held out of circuit with the contact lugs of the storage battery housing 38' that is connected to the outer end of the lever 29 by a spring and cord 39, 40.

A flexible canopy curtain M has its upper edge secured to the outer edge of the canopy II],

as best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and this curtain is provided with an annular pocket 42 at its lower edge that is filled with blocks of cork 43 that will float the apparatus in the event that it tended through the spaced holes 50 in the cork ring 46.

The foregoing parts are constructed and arranged so they can be moved into a compact unit with the flexible curtain folded up over the canopy ID, as shown by full line in Fig. 2, and by dotted lines in Fig. 3; or so they will open out like a parachute, as indicated by full lines in Fig.

3 and also as shown in Fig. 1.

The guide rods 49 are arranged so they hold the other parts of the apparatus out of contact with the electric switch mechanism when the apparatus is in a folded or collapsed position.

The apparatus, when folder or collapsed, can be placed in a chamber 5| in the wing 52 of an airplane 53 and on the underside thereof; and it is detachably held therein by semispherical trap doors 54 and 55 that have telescoping fingers 56 at their abutting edges that are extended over a pin 51 that is integral with the lower end of. the storage battery housing 38.

The doors 54 and 55 are secured to the underside of the wing 52 by hinges 58, each of which has a lug 59 that'is engaged by its respective plunger 60 to hold the doors in a closed position against the tension of the springs 6| that operate to open the doors when the plungers 69 are released from the lugs 59.

The plungers 60 are each arranged in shells 62 in which there are springs 63 that press them outward toward the hinges 56; and these plungers are moved away from the hinges 56 and out of contact with the lugs 59 by the solenoids 64 that are energized in the usual way. These solenoids and associated parts are semidiagrammatically shown in Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive.

When the solenoids are-energized the plungers 60 are withdrawn from the lugs 59 so that the springs 6| open the doors 54, and thereby with- 3 draw the fingers 56 fromholding engagement with the pin 5'Igso that the signalapparatus can drop from the chamber 5|. When so released it will automatically open up like a parachute and descend by gravity to the ground or water and when opened the lamp I! will be lighted to send its signal upward through the lens 29 so the light there- 65 of can be seen from a great distance and for a long time as it is intended that the storage battery 38 will keep the lamp burning for several days.

In the event that the signal apparatus lands in the water the waves will cause the light beam 65 to sweep the sky in arcs X-Y, as indicated by the arrow arc in Fig. 1.

When the apparatus is used to convey messages from a scout airplane to a battle-fleet 66 and picked up by the scout boats and then conveyed to the fleet. Messages are transmitted from the scout airplane to the apparatus in the'iollowing way:

The airplane is provided with a compressed air tank 6"! that preferably is arranged in or adjacent to the cock-pit 68 so that its air valve lever 69 is within easy reach of the pilot and also so he can insert a message carrier '85 in front of a removable plug 10 in the inlet end H of an air tube 12 that is extended from the cock pit 58 to the chamber 5|, as semi-diagrammatically shown in Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive.

The tube 12 is connected to the tank 67 by the air valve housing 13 in which there is a valve 1 3 which, when open, discharges compressed air from the tank 61 into the space I75 between the plug in and carrier 15. This pressure of air causes the carrier 15 to travel through the tube 12 and discharge out of its outlet end 78 into the message receiving terminal H. The message receiving terminal 11 is supported in the signal apparatus by brackets 18 and 19 that are respectively secured inside of the apparatus to the canopy i0 and cylinder It, as diagrammatically shown in Fig. 3. The terminal 11 is cylindrical and has an open end 89 that is provided with spring retainers 8! that permit the carrier 75 to enter but not escape therefrom until they are manually forced outward a suflicient distance for the carrier to be removed. The other end of the terminal H is closed by a screen 82 that permits the passage of air but stops the carrier when it is discharged from the tube 12 into the terminal TI.

- The lever 69 can be actuated either to the right or left to open the air passage from the tank 51 to the pipe I2, and when opened to the left will first open the valve passage to discharge the carrier 15- into the terminal, and then when moved on a short distance will move the arm 83 and bridge contact I83 into position to engage the contacts 84 and 85 on the plate 86 to close an electric circuit to the solenoids 8 1 to release the plungers 60 from the lugs 59 so the doors 54 and 55 will be opened to drop the apparatus into space as heretofore described.

When the lever 69 is actuated in the opposite direction it will open the air valve 74 and discharge a shell into the message receiving terminal without engaging the bridge contact I83 with the contacts 84 and 85 to actuate the solenoids 64 to open the doors 54 and 55.

Electric current can be supplied in the usual way to the solenoids 64 when the bridge contact I83 is moved to close the circuit between the contacts 84 and 85. The wiring connection 00 between a source of electric power, switch and solenoids is indicated semidiagrammatically, in Fig. 10, it being understood thatelectrical current can be supplied to these parts in the usual way;

It is understood that an airplane can have several chambers 5i under its wings, each of which can be supplied with a message-carrying signal. Alsoit is understood that the message receiving terminal 11 can be of sufiicient length to receive two or more of the carriers 15 if so desired.

In operation the apparatus is stored in the wing of an airplane as fully described, and when released when desired to carry a message down .to the land or sea its lamp will be lit and the light thereof flashed skyward to signal its location.

In other words, if an airplane is forced to land in a wild relatively unknown and inaccessible place my apparatus is released Just before the landing.

is made so it will flash its signal of distress and thereafter keep the signal lighted and in action for several days so the lost airplane can be easily 5 and quickly located.

What I claim as my invention is:

l 1. In a message carrying signal apparatus the combination with an airplane having a compartment under one of the wings thereof, and a cock- 10 pit adjacent said wing, of an apparatus in the form of a. parachute that when collapsed and folded can be carried in said compartment, a message receiving terminal in said apparatus, a tube extending from said compartment to said cock-pit l5 and with its discharge end arranged adjacent the receiving end of said terminal, a message carrier, and compressed air means for discharging said message carrier through said tube into said terminal.

2. In a message carrying signal apparatus the combination with an airplane having a compartment under one of the wings thereof, and a cock pit adjacent said wing, of an apparatus in the form of a parachute that, when-collapsed and folded, can be carried in said compartment, a message receiving terminal in said apparatus, a tube extending from said compartment tosaid cockpit and with its discharge end arranged adjacent the receiving end of said terminal, a message carrier, compressed air means for discharging said message carrier through said tube into said ter-. minal, and electrically operated means for releasing said apparatus from said compartment after it has received said message carrier.

3. In a message carrying signal apparatus the combination with an airplane having a compartment under one of the wings thereof, and a cock pit adjacent said wing, of an apparatus in the form of a parachute that, when collapsed and folded, can be carried in said compartment, 9. message receiving terminal in said apparatus, a tube extending from said compartment to said cock-pit and with its discharge and arranged adjacent the receiving end of said terminal, a message carrier, compressed air means for discharging said message carrier through said tube into tery housing having a battery therein, flexible means connecting said battery housing to said skirt, a cylinder attached to said canopy adjacent said opening, a lamp in said cylinder having a connection to said battery, a switch in said connection, a lens attached to said cylinder and placed in said opening in said canopy for concentrating the light of said lamp into a signal beam, means for holding said switch open when said apparatus is at rest in said airplane and means for connecting said switch with said battery housing for closing said switch when said apparatus is released from said airplane. 

